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STENCIL DIES, 

MANTJFACTUBED BY 

S. M, '-SPBMCBB, 

S«7 HANOVER ST., BOSTON, MASS. 

Formerly Brattleboro, Vt. 



BRATTLEBOBO : 

HOUSEHOLD BOOK AND JOB PRESS. 

1873. 



(Lfr /O - ZZ3? 



TIN" ID IE 2£. 

Preface, ... - -■ 1 

There is a universal necessity for stencil work. 1 

Will the business jjay ? , - - - - - 2 

The profits and the other advantages of the business, - - 3 

A local stencil business, - - - - 4 

Ladies can do the work, - - ■ 5 

You must have good tools to do good work, ... 5 

Samples of Dies, - - - - -6 

The $25 Outfit. - - 12 

Stamp dies and steel stamps. - - - - - - 15 & 20 

$40 Outfit, - - 15 

$20 Outfit and $10 Outfit, - - 15 

What folks say about the business, - • - - 16 

Price list, - - 19 

Notice, - 21 

Designs of Checks, - - - 23 

Samples of Brass Alphabets, - - - 24 



REMOVAL. 



To gain a more accessible location, enlarged facilities for my business and immediate 
access to the raw materials used in it, and direct communication by express to all parts of 
the country and world, I have removed my Stencil Rooms from Brattleboro, Vt., to 
No. 117, Hanover Street, Boston, at which place I have purchased the old and well known 
Metcalf Stencil establishment, as will be .seen by the following 

O.A^R,ID. 

Office of Metcalf's Stencil Rooms, 

117 Hanover Street, Boston: 

September 6th, 1872. 
Having this day disposed of my entire interest in the Stencil Business, including all 
the machinery, tools, fixtures, receipts, arrangements and facilities employed by me, and 
intending to retire permanently from the trade, I offer sincere thanks to my many cus- 
tomers for their very liberal and long-continued patronage, and I recommend my suc- 
cessor, Mr. S. M. Spencer, as being a manufacturer of large experience, a business man of 
undoubted integrity and responsibility, and a gentleman worthy of the utmost respect. 

L. S. METCALF. 
With my improved facilities, and the full benefit of the many thousand intelligent 
and costly experiments conducted by the Metcall's, during their forty years practical ex- 
perience, and which are fully recorded in a book transferred to me, I shall be able to 
supply promptly, every thing to be bad anywhere in my line, and at the very lowest 
prices. S. M. Spencer, 

April 1st, 1873. 
N. B. Look out for certain parties who are advertising Stencil Dies, give a long 
list of references, and claim to have had long experience. They have had ro experience 
whatever in manufacturing, have no experienced workmen and no facilities for doing the 
work. " A word to the wise is sufficient. " 






MANUFACTURER OF 

Stencil 



Man is so constituted that Labor is indispensible to happiness and 
health. Much we may regret this divine arrangement, still the necessity 
is upon us — we must work. To select an occupation is therefore one of 
our first and most important duties ; and, since so much of our happiness 
depends upon a judicious selection, it becomes us to study well the 
ground and make a wise choice. That man who quietly folds his hands 
and rests dependent upon the enterprise of others is, in a measure, a 
slave. He may labor in the employ of another sometimes to advantage, 
but it should be his purpose to make this only temporary, to rise above 
a mere day laborer, ami build for himself a business — honorable and 
independent. " The gods help those who help themselves." It is not 
necessary to conduct an extensive business or make a great display. 
The " ten acres" farm well tilled yields the greatest profit. 

We should ask, in regard to an occupation, " Is it useful as well as 
profitable ? Shall I receive advantages other than pecuniary ? Shall 
I succeed?" If the business I offer answers these questions affirm- 
atively, may I not ask for it your careful consideration ? 

There is a Universal Necessity for StenciS Work. 

A thousand and one articles are owned by each individual in the land 
which should be marked plainly with their name. Clothing, hats, bon- 
nets, gloves, boots, umbrellas, books, cards, envelopes, writing paper, 
blankets, boxes, barrels, merchandise, farm tools, robes, etc., etc., etc., 
all may be neatly and quickly marked by means of a Stencil Plate. 
Every day, clothes are being lost and stolen, books and tools loaned and 



S- M. SPENCER'S 



never returned, letters sent to the dead letter office, and merchandise 
shipped to the wrong port, hecause not properly marked. Stencil plates 
are everywhere used to designate upon barrels, boxes, casks, etc., their 
contents, such as the diffierent brands of flour and grain, liquids, med- 
icines, fruits, butter, cheese, and numberless other articles that are 
constantly being packed, and shipped from place to place. Beside, a 
stencil plate is of great value as a means of advertising upon all barrels, 
boxes, bundles, and even car loads of lumber, hay, etc., sent off, and are 
extensively used for this purpose. Again, all patent articles are, by law 
required to be so designated, with the date of patent plainly marked 
upon them. A large class of these articles, such as plows, churns, mow- 
ing machines, washing machines, bee hives, straw cutters, corn shellers* 
etc., etc., are universally marked with stencil plates. And stencil plates 
must always do the principal part of all coarse marking, as they are 
peculiarly adapted to give an impression upon surfaces that cannot be 
printed upon, such as wood, iron, leather, sacks, etc. The above in brief 
shows the usefulness of the stencil business, and now, that 



It Will Pay to Engage in the Business 



Can be readily shown, we think. As a money making business it stands 
unrivalled by any requiring so small a capital, which is so easily learned. 
If it were an uncertain or untried pursuit we might justly hesitate, but 
the want exists, and where stencils are best known they are most appre- 
ciated. The demand for whatever is really iiseful must continue till 
the want is supplied. And the w T ant will not only continue, but the 
demand must increase, since every year unfolds new uses to which the 
stencil plate is adapted — developes new branches of the business. 

The demand for name plates will never cease, since population is con- 
stantly changing, business increasing, children growing up to be men 
and women, and women assuming new names ; people are traveling who 
never traveled before, young people going from home to schools and 
colleges, and millions are staying at home, who want some neat and 
simple method of marking their clothing, handkerchiefs, pocket books — 
in short, everything liable to be lost or stolen. 

Business plates will always bo called for as long as there remains in 
man's nature a fondness for having his name appear in connection with 
his business, or while advertising pays, or there exists a necessity for 
- designating the contents of a flour barrel or whiskey cask, (and we hope 



IMPEOVED STENCIL DIES. 



longer than the latter). This much in regard to the permanency of the 
stencil husiness. 



The Profits are Large. 



Small, plain style, name plates retail at 50 cents each ; ornamented 
style, at 75 cents to $2.00 each. The stock for one of these plates — 
brass, frame, brush, ink and directions for using — cost less than 6 cents, 
as will be seen by referring to my price list, thus leaving a profit of 44 
cents to $1.94 on each plate sold. The time required in cutting a plate 
is from fire to thirty minutes. 

Large stencils retail at 5 to 8 cents per letter and cost less than half 
a cent per letter for stock. A person can cut sixty letters an hour, net- 
ting a profit of $2.70 to $4.50 per hour. Can you not procure orders 
for ten name plates in any town in one day '? More than that number 
are often obtained in a single hour. But reckon ten per day — at the 
lowest prices — and you have made more than $4 profit ; over $100 per 
month, or $1,300 per year. We have proof that many are making 
three times this amount. 

Can you, in any legitimate business, make a greater profit, consider- 
ing that you learn the business in an hour, and that only $25 to $50 
capital is invested. 



?es of tie Business 



Should be considered, also j for while we may, in diverse ways accumu- 
late wealth, we might be compelled to sacrifice health, cramp our nobler 
nature, or submit to confinement and discomforts. Health is one of 
heaven's choicest blessings, and no one has a right to engage in business 
that will destroy or impair it. Much less should we follow any pursuit, 
however promising of gain, which would hamper free thought, paralize 
conscience or sacrifice honor. The stencil business is healthful, honora- 
ble as it is useful, a field in which to acquire knowledge of human 
nature, cultivate the important art of pleasing, exercise ingenuity and 
improve artistic taste and genius. It presents an opportunity for trav- 
eling without incurring expense, of observing the customs and manners 
in different States, and of overcoming that diffidence which most men 
feel who are unacquainted with the world. 



S- M. SPENCER'S 



A young man who spent a number of years in canvassing and sten- 
cil cutting, thus writes : 

' ; Human nature is the great study of our lives, and lie who understands it 
best is most successful. ' The proper study of mankind is man,' and he who 
enjoys the best opportunities for seeing all classes of men, in all classes of cir- 
cumstances, drinks deepest at this great fount of knowledge. The canvasser 
stands pre-eminent in this respect. He, of all men, has a chance to study his 
fellow man ; to compare the manners, customs, ways and peculiarities of the 
people in different sections ; to store his mind with facts and general information • 
to visit places of note and interest — thus becoming familiar with scenes which 
he could never comprehend in all their grandeur from description, however cor- 
rectly penned or eloquently delivered. All have heard of Mount Vernon, Marsh- 
field, Ashland and the Hermitage, yet who that has not visited these consecrated 
spots has dreamed of the patriotic feelings, the pure reflections, and the manly 
resolves that come rushing to the mind as we stand contemplating the virtues, 
the worth and the greatness of those whose mortal remains lie crumbling in the 
dust at our feet" 

Another lias well said, that "the experience gathered from books, 
though often valuable, is but of the nature of learning • whereas, the 
experience gained from actual life is of the nature of wisdom • and a 
small store of the latter is worth vastly more than any stock of the 
former." But, 

A Local Stencil Business 



To those who cannot travel, or whose time is partially occupied with 
other business, can be made very profitable. You may employ agents 
to canvass for you, cut their plates and let them deliver the work, you 
receiving one-half the retail price. One can cut $25 to $50 worth of 
plates in a day ; one half of which — after paying all expenses — will 
make a handsome salary. 

Many persons have permanent situations which are more agreeable 
to them than traveling. Such may have an outfit of dies, tools and 
instructions, which they can use at odd moments and on public occasions, 
thus making them pay for themselves may times over, and have the 
business to rely upon in case they were thrown out of employment. 

Don't forget that you may employ one or more agents, cut all their 
plates at odd jobs, and thus realize a liberal income, wholly independ- 
ent of any regular business you may follow. 

Another method is to advertise for work in the stencil line. A friend 
writes us from Michigan that since purchasing an outfit, two years agOj 
he has met with unexpected success ; some days cutting $8 to $12 
worth of work, and all without soliciting an order. He had another 



IMPROVED STENCIL DIES. 5 

occupation, but stencil cutting was added and finally made one of the 
specialities in his business. Others relate a similar experience. 

Ladies can make Stencil Plates, 

Often with better success than gentlemen. Their quick perception 
enables them to judge more correctly, and their refined taste renders 
important service in adapting appropriate styles to different circumstan- 
ces. They often read human nature better than men ; the business is 
light and pleasant, and a new field for usefulness is opened to them, 
promising ample remuneration. 

Milliners and dress makers can ill afford to be without my stencil 
outfit. In marking patterns for embroidery, and copying the neat things 
Godey and Mme. Demorest are giving us, the dies and flowering tools are 
invaluable. Very pretty " Designs" can be cut in paper or bristol board 
with them, and I send, with each outfit, a great variety of my copy- 
righted designs for name plates, business cards, etc., which may be 
nicely displayed upon cloth or card board and exhibited as samples, in 
a show case. The appropriateness and beauty of these designs, and the 
intrinsic worth of stencil plates for marking linen cannot fail to attract 
attention and tempt the purse of every caller. 

In this way every milliner and dress maker, with little trouble and 
trifling expense, might open an additional branch of business of the most 
profitable nature. And remember, it requires but little time to learn 
how to -make a good stencil plate and only a few minutes to make one. 

To do Good Work you must have Good Tools, 

This is specially true hi cutting stencil plates. An ingenious yankee 
will whittle out a violin from an old stump with his jack-knife, or build 
a steam engine on the battle field with fragments he can pick up ; but 
no ingenuity was ever sufficient to contrive a neat stencil plate with i\[ 
shaped dies. It requires no argument to convince one. of this truth, as 
the die gives shape to the letter. Cheap tools are generally poor tools. 
"" Get the best," is advice which has become classic in its significance. 

My dies have always taken the first premium when on exhibition. 
Other manufacturers have refused to place their dies in competition with 
mine, and have even withdrawn them after mine were entered. I would 
gladly compete with any or all manufacturers of stencils in the U. S. 
I l I claim the best and am ready to prove it. 



S. M. SPENCER'S 



Improved Stencil Dies, 



From smallest to largest, are carefully made by experienced woikmen ; 
are all of steel, each die being separately and carefully finished by hand, 
and properly tempered and faced. My improvement is in the style of 
letter, the material and finish of the die. But I prefer that " another 
should praise me and not my own mouth." My works and not my words. 
I therefore refer you to testimonials on another page, and to samples 
of dies, confident that, like the farmer's ox or the old woman's cheese? 
.my^Improved Stencil Dies are perfectly qualified to speak for themselves 
—if /you will give them a chance. 




(0, I SEE WHY.) One Inch dies, Letters, Figures and Border Tools, Price, $35. 




Three-quarter inch, Letters, Figures and 4 Border Tools, Price, $33, 



IMPKOVED STENCIL DIES. 

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One-half inch, Letters, Figures and 4 Border Tools, Price, $30, 




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Three-eighths inch, Letters, Figures and 4 Border Tools, Price, $28. 

Tlie above will show you the style of letter made by my one-inch, 
three-fourths, one-half and three-eighths in. dies. All my dies are 
whole, each complete in itself. The §, ^, f and 1 inch, are hollow faced, 
with sharp edges, and will cut readily — without liability of breaking — 
any stencil material. Being of steel, with cutting edges, they do not 
require as heavy a stroke, and leave the metal much smoother than flat 
faced and cheaper " tools." 

By a new process, recently invented, I am able to present these large 
sizes of dies at less than half the price which other establishments are 
compelled to ask for dies of the same quality. 

I make no sizes larger than one inch. The demand does not war- 



S. M. SPENCER'S 



rant the expense. For larger letters we use a set of chisels, which cost 
but $4. A set of patterns for 1£, \\, If and 2 inch letters and figures 
will be sent with the cbisels for $7. A set of inch dies weigh ten lbs. 
| inch, five and one-half lbs., ^ inch, three and one-half lbs., and §• inch 
about two and one-half lbs. 



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1-4 inch Gothic, Plain, Price, $16 for Alphabet, Figures and 4 Border Took, 



3TENGIL>MAKEIt& 

1-4 inch Gothic Ornamented. Price, $18 for Alphabet, Figures and 4 Border Tools. 



311 & lower Case 



•4 Inch Roman. 

Price, with Figures and 4 Border Tools, $50, 



Often adds beauty to a plate. Two sizes of dies are better than one 
alone. These two sizes, ornamented, cost $32. Plain, $28. 



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3-16 Ornamented Gothic. Price, $14 for Alphabet, Figures and 4 Border Tools. 



IMPKOVED STENCIL DIES. 



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Price, $12, for Alphabet, Figures and 4 Border Tools< 



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3-16 Roman. Price, $40, for Upper & Lower Case, Figures and 4 Bordsr Tools. 
Are my lowest priced dies, costing but $10 per set, each style, 

s^ ^^ y!^ » •—— ^ ~//^/ 

Show my |- inch forward-slant dies, the same that I include in my $25 
outfit. They cost, for letters, figures and four ornamenting tools, $15. 






Will show you a sample of my | inch Roman engraved dies. Price $20. 



10 



S. M. SPENCER'S 




My 3-32 Roman. Price, $22. 

3-32 Backslant. Price, $18. 

For work which can be done with different styles of dies and "border 
tools, I refer to the following samples. 




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My Twenty-five Dollar Outfit. 

Many of my friends who would like to engage in the business of 
stencil cutting are unacquainted with the business and the tools required 
to do good work. I hare therefore prepared a Complete Stencil Outfit 
containing — 

1st. An alphabet of my £ inch forward-slant dies for cutting capital 
letters. 

2d. An alphabet for cutting the small or lower case letters, same 
style of die. 

3d. A set of figure dies. 

4th. Thirteen ornamenting dies, for making borders, embroidery 
patterns, etc. 

5th. A case of oiled chestnut or black walnut which contains all the 
above dies and ornamenting tools. 

6th. Stencil Gauge. This Gauge I have recently perfected to ob- 
viate the difficulty of placing the dies true and even, and for holding tha 
plate while cutting. 

7th. A steel hammer. 

8th. A lignumvitse block upon which to cut the plates. 

9th. A smoothing stone. 
lO. A framer, for turning the edges of a plate over the frame and 
smoothing it down. 
11th. A countersinker, for fitting the plate nicely to the frame. 
12th. A box of polishing powder. 

13th. A polishing brush, to clean and polish the plate. 
14th. Two finishing plates, upon which to smooth, frame and polish 
the stencil plates. 



IMPROVED STENCIL DIES. is 



15th. A pair of small shears for cutting the metal plate. 

16th. A pair of dividers, useful in spacing the work. 

17th. A four inch boxwood rule, which serves as a try-square. 

18th. A steel block scraper, to dress off the block after plates have 
been cut upon its entire surface. 

19th. Brass sufficient for fifty name and ten business plates, beside an 
extra quantity, at least twenty, to experiment upon. 

20th. German silver sufficient for ten name plates. 

21st. Zinc frames for fifty name and ten business plates. 

22d. Sixty brushes, for name and business plates. 

23d. Twenty-five bottles of indelible ink, with directions for using. 
My ink is of the best quality and warranted indelible. 

24th. A full set of patterns of my copyrighted designs, with zine 
curves for laying off the work. 

I have a large number of copyrighted designs for name plates, busi- 
ness cards, etc., not shown in this edition of my catalogue, but which 
will be sent with each outfit. 

25th. A bundle of stencil advertising bills, to poet up in places where 
you locate. 

26th. A pocket canvassing book, in which are samples of my designs 
on cloth and paper, and three specimen plates in different designs, with 
an abundance of blank paper upon which to write orders. 

27th. A copy of my confidential pamphlet, which is the key to the 
outfit — 1 might almost say, to your success as a stencil cutter. It 
contains an essay on canvassing, instructions in cutting stencil plates — ■ 
by which the most inexperienced are able to do good- work, receipts for 
making my indelible ink, stencil paste of different colors, etc., etc. In 
fact it is a complete budget of stencil information written and copyright- 
ed by me for the exclusive use of my patrons, and is worth the price of 
the outfit to any one commencing the business. In no case do I supply 
this pamphlet to others than those buying my complete outfit, or my 
dies to the amount of $25, as I paid that sum for single receipts which 
it contains. 

28th. An assignment of copyright to make and sell all my designs in 
stencil work. 

29th. And finally ; the entire outfit is well packed in a neat and sub- 
stantial hand trunk of oiled chestnut, ornamented with silver headed 
screws, silvered hooks, brass hinges, handle, lock and key. This trunk 
is made especially for me, and contains separate compartments for ink, 
brushes, etc. 



14 S. M. SPENCER'S 



This Complete Outfit weighs eight pounds, costs only $25, and is 
warranted in every respect. Everything is included here which a person 
needs to begin and successfully carry on stencil cutting in the name plate 
department, and there is nothing which is not needed. I strongly re- 
commend the purchase of a Complete Outfit to begin with. You 
will then have all the tools and instructions, and be ready to go right to 
work. Without dies, this outfit costs $10, and you can add any style 
of dies you choose, at the price given in my price list. 

Please Observe. The stock included in this outfit, when sold 
at the usual prices for stencil plates, will more than pay for the whole 
outfit, and you have left all the tools and instructions, worth at least $22. 
Usually two to four days will suffice to get orders enough to pay for the 
whole. Any boy or girl with ordinary ingenuity will soon learn to make 
good stencil plates, where they have my designs, patterns and instruc- 
tions with confidential pamphlet. The work is rendered almost as easy v 
as driving a nail into a board after a pencil mark has indicated where it ■ 
should be driven. 

I do not pretend a drone will get rich with one of my outfits. All 
men cannot succeed in any business, but active men are now making $5 
to $15 per day, clear of expenses. ± It offers special inducements to those 
who are persevering ; those who desire to travel, for a short time even, 
as a recreation ; those who are temporarily out of employment ; and 
those who have a portion of their time unoccupied. If the business 
suits, you can add other sizes of dies till you get a good assortment and 
locate in some thriving village, making it a permanent business. Or if 
you do not like it, and are smart, you can manage to get rid of your 
outfit for as much or more than you paid. Some have sold their outfits 
as high as $75, which is not an unreasonable price considering the 
wages one can make with it. A good article will always sell. 

Warranted. All my dies and stock are warranted to be as good 
as represented, and far better than most steel letter cutters can afford at 
the same (prices. I am not paying high rents as dealers in cities are 
compelled to pay, I purchase my stock direct from the manufacturers, 
thus getting the best at the lowest prices, and am determined to furnish 
t3ie best quality of dies at the lowest living rates. 

My dies, except the open Ionic, are all whole, i. e . each die complete 
in itself, and will make a perfect stencil letter by being struck through 
the plate. 



S. M. SPENCER'S 15 



Key Checks. 



There is a demand every where for key checks, which are used for 
attaching the owner's name to keys and other articles that cannot be 
marked with a stencil plate. This, like the stencil business, is nearly 
all profit, the checks selling for 25 to 40 cents each, and cost 2 and 3 
cents. Stencil Cutters may make this an additional source of profit 
with but little extra expense. Those who have not the money to pay 
for a 25 dollar outfit often commence with the key check dies alone 
and soon make enough to get the complete outfit. With the aid of the 
key check block of steel which I have recently perfected with patterns 
for all styles, of checks, they can be stamped true and nice without any 
practice. The stamp dies for stamping the checks are entirely different 
from the stencil dies and I have arranged them in outfits separately, 
and with Stencil Outfit as follows : 

The Forty Dollar Outfit. 

One Twenty-Five Dollar Outfit complete. 

" Set 1-16 inch upper case Key Check Dies. 

" « " lower " Key Check Dies. 

" u " figure Key Check Dies. 

" " of eight border Key Check Dies. 

" Case of Black Walnut to hold the dies. 

" Key Cbeck Block and Gauge. 
One hundred and fifty assorted Key Checks and Kings. 

The Twenty Dollar Outfit. 

One Set 1-16 inch upper case Key Check Dies. 

" " " lower « Key Check Dies. 

" " " figure Key Check Dies. 

" " of eight border Key Check Dies. 

" Case of Black Walnut to hold Dies. 

" Key Check Block and Gauge. 

" Steel Hammer. 
Two Hundred assorted Key Checks and Kings, 
One Hand Trunk (Same as described in the $25 outfit.) 

The Ten Dollar Outfit. 

One Set 1-16 inch upper case Key Check Dies. 

" " " figure Key Check Dies. 

" " of four border Key Check Dies. 

" Case of Black Walnut to hold Dies. 

" Key Check Block and Gauge. 

" Steel Hammer. 
Seventy-five assorted Checks and Kings. 



16 S. M. SPENCER'S 



What Folks Say. 



Fort Randall, D. T. 
- S. M. Spencer, — Bear Sir : The $25 Outfit with, stock was received three 
days ago. Am much pleased with it. In getting it I have learned a new way of 
making money. Have cut eighty-four plates at $1 each, and lots more orders on 
my hooks. Send the following stock. * * * * * * * 

Yours truly, 

VALE P. THIELMAN. 

Omaha, Neb. 
S. M. Spencer, — Dear Sir : Have not written before as I wished to test the 
tools. They are as near perfect, I believe, as it is possible to make them. Could 
not be" better pleased than we are. 

Tours, &c, 

B. D. SLAUGHTER. 

Rochester, Mich. 
S. M. Spencer, — Bear Sir : Those Hollow Faced Dies, (inch) that I pur- 
chased from you two months ego I have fonnd to be far better than I expected. 
I am highly pleased with them and shall soon order the 3-4 inch set from you. 
Tours, R. O. SMITH. 

Smithville, Monroe Co., Ind. 
S. M. Spencer, — Sir : The $25 Outfit was received day before yesterday. 
They arrived here at two o'clock, and before dark we had cut about $30 worth of 
plates — the plain ones at $1.00 and bordered ones from $1.25 to $1.50. I took in 
a partner who had been engaged in the stencil business before ; he pronounced 
the dies the best he ever worked with. We shall want a larger set in a week or 
so. We could have cut more, but run out of stock ; we have about twenty orders 
waiting now. Enclosed please find order for stock. 

Tours truly, THOS. E. WARRING. 

Canaan, Maine. 
S. M. Spencer, — Sir : The dies that I bought of you are just the thing I 
want to make money with. They work like a charm. In one week I made 
$45.50 clear profit. Send me the following stock. * * * * * 
Very truly yours, PRESTON ELDRIDGE. 

No. Prescott, Mass. 
S. M. Spencer, — Sir : The Outfit I got of you gives good satisfaction. The 
first two hours I canvassed, I got ten names, and the fourth day I got upwards of 
forty, which is much better than I expected. Enclosed is an order for stock. 
Respectfully yours, DAN'L E. POWERS. 

Newcomerstown, Ohio. 
S. M. Spencer, — Bear Sir : I received my $25 Outfit and am much pleased 
with it. I have made from $6 to $8 each day I have been out with it. I have a 
number of orders for large brands, and feel sure of success. Send me the § inch 
dies and stock immediately. E. M. TINGLING. 

New Frankfort, Saline Co., Mo. 
S. M. Spencer, — Sir : Tour dies and designs are at hand. I am not follow- 
ing the stencil business for a livelihood, but at leisure times. I make good wages. 
Testerday I made $6. JAMES M. FRAZER. 

Macon, Ga., April 1st, 1869. 
S. M. Spencer, — Sir : Those dies I got from you a year ago have done 
everything you promised. With respect, I remain yours, 

EARNEST PESCHKE. 




Virden, 111. 
S. M. Spencer, — Sir : The §25 Outfit you seht me came all right. I am well 
pleased with the dies. They work like a charm. I think it the best investment I 
ever made. One day I cut and sold 10 plates of the " T. II. Benton " style, netting 
the nice sum of $12. I have sold all the stock you sent villi the Outfit, receiving 
$42 for it. Enclosed find P. O. Order for more stock. 

Tours respectfully., M. J. L. CLARK. 

Birmingham, Ohio. 
S.M.Spencer, — Sir-: The dies came to hand two weeks ago. A canvasser 
was out six days and sold $4S.50 worth of plates. We took another partner on 
Friday, and before dark Saturday night he had taken over $20 worth of orders 
besides, I have worked twenty-five or thirty hours and rav share of the profits 
amount to $24.25. Tours fraternally, ' G. H. 3IAINS. 

Worcester, Pa. 
S. M. Spencer, — Sir : I have received the hand trunk all right, and am much 
pleased with its contents. I canvassed one half day and obtained orders for 
eighteen stencil plates, twelve at $1.00 each and six at 50 cents each — making $15 
I hardly know how to thank you enough for sending the Outfits. Enclosed is $5 
for stock. Tour obt. friend. 'J. H. WANNER. 

New London, Wis. 
S. M. Spencer, — Dear Sir : I received the stencil goods you sent me last 
Tuesday, and I think them to be better than you represented them to be. 

H, G. LUTSET. 

Centralia, 111., Nov. 16, 1869. 
S. M. Spencer, — Bear Sir : The dies you sent came to me all right last Sat- 
urday, and I must say I am highly pleased with them. Their shape and finish 
show good workmanship. I paid $50 for tools from another establishment, and I 
do not consider them worth one-fifth the value of these. 

Very respectfully yours, CHAS. F. WIGHMAN. 

New Bloomfield, Pa. 
S. M. Spencer, — Sir : I have used your $25 Outfit for nearly two years at 
home and travelling, attending fairs and other public gatherings. Every die is 
still as good, and cuts as perfectly as ever. I have never yet had one of them 
dressed and faced and they will last a long time yet. Tour dies are more perfect, 
uniform and better tempered than any other make that I have ever seen, and I 
have had a chance to see a good many different make in my travels. I can most 
truly recommend vour dies before all others. 

Fraternally your friend, JOHN O. MOORE. 

Rockland, Maine. 
S. M. Spencer, — Dear Sir: After a good two years' trial of your one-inch dies, 
we can cheerfully recommend them as being fully up to what you claim for them. 
We have given them the hardest kind of service, having been in use nearly e vein- 
day and on very heavy plate. We should have spoken in favor of them before, 
but wished to give them a good test, and we have done so, and are now ready to 
recommend them as the very best. 

We are respectfully yours, 

J. P. WISE & SON. 

Chelsea, Vt. 
S. M. Spencer, — Sir: I received the outfit all right, and it is perfectly satis- 
factory in every respect. I have cut several name plates, and the dies cut nice. I 
much prefer them to other makes I have used. 

Tours truly, C. J. EMERSON. 



is S.M. SPENCER'S 



Fredericktown, Mo. 
S. M. Spencer, — Dear Sir: The $40 outfit came to hand three days ago 
and gives perfect satisfaction. I have used other dies, the makers of which are 
considered first-class, but these are the best I have seen. The clean, sharp, true 
cutting qualities of your dies are bound to be appreciated by any practical stencil 
cutter. The business was no experiment with me, I already knew that it was a 
profitable occupation. _ Thanking you for promptness and fidelity, 
i am yours, 

CHAS. E. BABEOLL, Publisher of ' ; The Bee." 

Terre Haute, Ind. 
S. M: Spencer, — Dear Sir : We this, day received the 3-4 inch dies, and on 
trying them find that they work to a charm. Much obliged for promptness in 
filling our order. Tours, &c, 

HUDNITT & CO., Manuf 'rs of Hominy, Maizone, &c. 

Lehman, Pa. 
S. M. Spencer, — Dear Sir : The $25 outfit came all right. I am well satisfied 
with it, and find myself now in a business at once pleasant and profitable ; easily 
learned, and commanding good sales and large profits. I thank your for your 
enterprise in fitting out a complete set of tools for this business. Enclosed find 
order for stock. Hoping our intercourse may be long and pleasant, 

I remain yours in F., L. & T., J. C. MULLISON. 

Winnepauk, Conn. 
S. M. Spencer, — Sir : Your bill with goods was received yesterday. I am 
very much pleased with the goods, and especially the key check block. Here- 
tofore I have had to place the dies by my eye and have spoiled many checks ; 
with the block it is hard work to misplace them ; a child can do the work well. 
Had I known its value could not have been without it. Yesterday I received and 
filled orders amounting to $5.90 ; to-day have taken orders for $22 worth. 

Yours, &c, EDWIN NOETHBOP. 

Jonesboro, 111. 
S. M. Spencer, — Dear Sir : I have cut with the dies I purchased of you 
one year and a half ago over 5000 name plates, besides many business cards, 
which I think pretty well for one set of dies. Shall send for large dies by and 
by. Respectfully, &c, H. ENSIGN". 

Rees Mills, Ind. 
S. M. Spencer, — Dear Sir : We received our $25 outfit and are doing very 
well. Took twenty-five orders the first day at seventy-five cents each. Shall 
. want more stock soon. Truly, GARRETT & BENNETT. 

Georgetown, Col. 
S. M. Spencer, — Sir : The stencil dies came O. K. and have more thaji! 
cleared themselves and stock left. Send the key check outfit and stock. 

Yours truly, Wm. E. BLACKHABT. 

Little Falls, N. Y. 
S. M. Spencer, — Dear Sir: Your $25 outfit is received, and I am well 
pleased with the dies and tools. I have made from $2 to $3 a night after getting 
tbrough my day's work. Very truly, EDGAR LACELL. 

Connellsville, Pa. 
S. M. Spencer, — Sir : I received the outfit of dies and am very well pleased 
with them. I have shown them to several machinists and they all pronounce 
them the best they have ever seen. I received thirteen orders for name plates in- 
side of two hours, without going out of the house. Send me stock immediately. 

Yours, &c, CHAELES MEHE. 



PRICE LIST. 

Stencil Dies. 

PEE SET. 

8-32 Inch. Roman, upper and lower ease, figures and 4 border tools, $22 00 

3-32 " Backslant " " " 4 " 18 00 

3-32 " Gothic, plain, capitals only " 4. " 10 00 

1-8 u Roman, upper and lower case " 4 " 20 00 

1-8 " Forwardslant " •' " .4 " 15 CO 

1-8 u Gothic, main, capitals only " 4.. " 10 00 

1-8 " " ornamented" " 4 " .10 00 

3-16 " Roman, upper and lower case, . . . . " 4 " 40 00 

3-16 " Open Ionic, capitals only " 4 " 12 00 

3-16 " Gothic, plain "... " 4 ..." 12 CO 

3-16 " " ornamented." " 4 " 14 00 

1-4 " Roman, upper and lower case, . . . ." 4 " 50 00 

1-4 " Open Ionic, capitals only '•' 4 " 14 00 

1-4 " Gothic, plain ." " 4 " 16 00 

1-4 " " ornamented." < " 4 " 18 00 

3-8 " Roman " " 4 ".. 28 00 

3-8 ". Gothic, plain " " 4 " 22 00 

1-2 " Roman "' ".. 4 " 30 GO 

8-4 " " " " 4 " 3.3 00 

1 " « . t|t( « _..« 4 " ..-. 35 00 



Key Clieck Dies. 



1-12 or 1-16 Inch upper and lower case, figures and 8 border tools ...$10 00 

1-20 to 1-8 Inch Letters, figures and 4 border tools, 6 00 

3-16 Inch Letters, figures and 4 border tools, , 8 00 

1-4 " " " 4. . . .". . . ." 10 00 

3-16 " figures .., 2 00 

1-4 ' ; " 2 50 

3-8 " " 3 50 

1-2 « " 75 

Single Die of any size will be furnished at one-thirtieth the price of a com- 
plete alphabet, or one-sixtieth where " upper and lower case " is specified above. 
The 13 border tools sent with my outfit cost $3.00. I will send an assortment of 
20 ornamenting tools for $4.00, or 40 for $7.00 — all different from the regular 
border tools. My dies are ail made from finest steel and carefuliy tempered, and 
sizes larger than 1-4 inch are hollow-faced and have sharp cutting edges. I will 
also furnish stamp ornamenting tools at the rate of 10 for $2.00, or 20 for $3.50. 

stencil Stocko 

Indelible Ink, small bottles, with directions ....... per hundred $3.00 

• ■• " " quart " per bottle 2.00 

Brushes^ name plate, improved per hundred .... 1.00 

" large, fourteen sizes per doz. 1.00 to 7.80 

Zinc Frames, Nos. 1 to 20 < per hun. .40 to 4.00 

German Silver ' per lb 1.75 

" " per hundred. . . . 1.00 

Brass, name plate, Kb. 40. per lb «70 

" " " No, 88 .per lb 5S 

" for large brands, width 14 inches or less, No. 35 per lb . . . . , -53 

" " " " " 14. to 20 inches, No. 35 per lb .. . . ...... .£5 



20 



S. M. SPENCER'S 



Low Brass, for largo, brands, width fl inches, No. 33 per ib 

Copper, " " " 14 in. or less, No. 85. . .per lb 

Stencil paper, for brands, a substitute for copper, sheets 22x31 inches. .... 

Stencil paste, black, for large stencils .per box , 

" " red, yellow, green, blue and white, each. .. ..per box 

Lignumvitae blocks, small per lb. ..... . 

" " 10 lbs. or more per lb 

Chisels for cutting large stencils, 16 pieces per set 4 

" " « ' " " 24 " per set 6 

« " « « " 40 " per set 10 

Advertising bills per hundred. 

Directions for using Indelible Ink. per hundred 

Copyrighted designs, on paper per bund, sheets. 

" " on cloth per bund, sheets . 

Paper boxes, neat, for name plate, ink, brush and directions, per hundred . . . 

Key check block - ..'.... 

Stencil Gauge ... ,. ....... ......... .=......... 



60 



.00 
.50 
.00 
.50 

75 



Zinc . IPrajLiies-™"^ 



teases. 



I give below the dimensions in ciglrtks of an inch, with price per hundred, 
of the frames I am prepared to furnish. Nos. 4, 10 and 15 arc square inside ; all 
the others are oval. I will send a sample of each size frame, numbered for 4'J cts . 



No. 


Size Outside 


Size Inside 


Price 


Mo. 


Size Outside 


•Size Inside 


Price 


1 


17 by 7 


14 by 4 


§ .40 i 


1 11 


. 26 by 16 


20 by 10 


$1.20 


2 


18 by 10 


14 by 4 


. .45 


12 


29 by 14 


23 by 8 


1.25 


8 


21 by 9 


17 by 5 


.50 


13 


33 by 18 


20 by 


1.30 


4 


21 by 11 


1.6 by 7 


.55 f 


14 


33 by 17 


20 by 10 


1.40 


5 


23 by 10 


18 by 5 


.65 


15 


SO by 22 


24 by 10 


1.50 


6 


25 by 10 


20 by 5 


.70 


16 


33 by 21 


26 by 15 


2.00 


7 


23 by 11 


18 bv 


.80 


17 


44 by 17 


35 by S 


2.25 


8 


22 by 13 


17 by 8 


.85 


IS 


33 by 27 


27 by 21 


2.50 


9 


26 by 11 


20 by 6 


.90 


19 


44 by 2S 


85 by 19 


3.50 


10 


24 by 16 


IS bv 10 


1.10 l 


20 


44 by 34 


35 by 25 


4.00 



Brass .^IpliSL'foets . asid. F , ig , iir > es» . 

Best quality, Roman letters, I will furnish at the following rates. Net Cash 



Alphabets. 

1-4 in. per set 25 cts 

3-8 " " " 25 " 

j_2 " " '■' 25 " 

3-4 " " " 2S " 

1 " " !■ 80 " 

11-4"" " 40 " 

11-2"" " 50 " 

13-4"" " 60 " 

2 ^ " " " 60 " 

2 1-2"" " i 00 

1 1.2 " " " lower case. 50 " 

I^ai'g-e ! 

No. 00 per dozen $0 GO 

" " " . . ... ' 1 10 

" 1 " " 1 20 

M 2 « " ISO 

" 3 " " .150 

" 4 " " 1 75 

" 5 " " 2 00 



Figures. 

1-4 in. per set 14 cts- 

8-8 " " " 14 " 

1-2 " " " 14 " 

8-4 " " " 15 " 

1 " " " 16 " 

11-4" " " . 20 " 

i i_2 """.... 25 " 

13-4" " " '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 30 " ' 

•> " « " °n " 

2 1-2 " " « :::::::;:;;;:: 50 « 

No. 6 per dozeu $2 25 

7- ■" ••■"•••::::•. 2 50 

8 " " 300 

9 " " 400 

10 " " 5 00 

11 " « 5 75 

12 ' ; " 6 50 



IMPROVED STENCIL DIES. 



SOLID BRASS. 

1-4 inch, ten letters or lens on one line $1 25 

3-8 " " " " 1 50 

1-2 " " " " 2 00 

3-4 " " ..." " 2 75 

1 " five" " " 4 00 

Two lines of lettering double the price of one line. 



Eagle per hundred $2 50 

American Shield per hundred 3 00 

Wentworth per dozen 100 

" per gross 10 00 

Large Oval per hundred 2 00 

Small Oval per hundred 150 

Large Plain Shield per hundred 2 50 

Small Plain Shield per hundred 2 00 

Fancy Shield per hundred 2 00 

Ornamented Keystone per hundred 2 50 

Plain Keystone per hundred 2 00 

Scroll per hundred. . . ; . . 3 00 

Trunk Plate, No. 1 . per hundred. ..... 5 00 

Trunk Plate, No. 2 per hundred 7 00 

Seven Boys Puzzle per hundred 4 00 

Goddess of Liberty per hundred 3 00 



Large Eound per hundred $2 00 

Small Eound per hundred 1 00 

Diamond per hundred 2 75 

Gentle Reminder, No. 1 per hundred 4 00 

Gentle Reminder, No. 2 per hundred 7 00 



Steel Block Stamps. 

1-32 inch per letter. .20 cts. 3-16 inch per letter. .20 cts. 

1-20 to 1-8 inch. .."..." 15 " 1-4 inch "..."....30 " 



Pencil Brnslaes. 



Per dozen 75 cents. 

Per gross $7 50 



22 



S. M. SPENCER'S 



FINALLY ■ Anything in the line of Stencil or Stamp Dies and Stock, I . 
will furnish at the lowest living rates, and of .the best quality. I shall be 
happy to hear from you, and if prices of what you want are not here given, 
I will cheerfully tell you at what rates I can supply you. 

NOTICE. 

When orders amount to §50 or more, I put in 10 per cent, of the amount 
in extra stock, and on orders of $100 or over, I discount 15 per cent, except 
on large brushes and brass alphabets. 1-To charge for packing box. 

THESE ARE MY LOWEST PISCES— NET CASH AT MY OFFICE, 

In sending orders be sure and virile your address in full — giving post office, 
county and State, distinctly and in each letter. In sending remittances obtain 
a draft ori Boston or New York if possible, otherwise a post office money 
order, or you may enclose the greenbacks, and have your letter registered, and 
send at my risk. 

Remember, I cannot send goods and collect the full amount on delivery. 
I would gladly accommodate, but my profits do not warrant the risk. I will 
sell you as cheaply as possible, but I must be secured on express bills before 
I ship the goods. Send me $ 5., which will be deducted from your bill, and 
the balance will be collected if preferred. It is better to send the whole 
amount when ordering goods, as it saves you the expense of collection and 
returning the money by express. I think that the certificates given are 
sufficient to convince you that I am entirely responsible for any amount 
entrusted to me. 

Address all communications to 



117 Hakover St., Boston. 



21 



7 
21 





Gli©Gk SsaMem ©ies. 



<0= 1-00 



1.25 

1.25 



Jtk? $1.00 



29 CM 



31 
9 




15 ff 



19 



35 




W5.00 



.00 



5.00 



5.00 




[MPliOVEP STENCH. DIES; 



herm&31 ,mlWGT ^JS-OCKS 




Eaele. 



Larcre Oval. 



^ 



il:# 



Small Oval. 






Ameriean Shield. Large Plain Shield. 



Scroll. 




Plain Keystone. Ornamented Keystone. Small Plain Shield. Fancy Shield. 





No. 2.— Brass. 



IMPROVED STENCIL DIES. 



24 



Sample of Brass Alphabets 






A inch. 



inch. 



2h inches. 



inch. 




li Inch. 



II Inch. 



1 Inch. 



TESTIMONIALS. 



Brattleboro, Vt., June 1, 1870. 
We are happy to bear testimony to the good charcter, business tact, enter- 
prise and integrity 01' Mr. S. M. Spencer, Siencil die manufacture place, 
and are glad to know that his stencil dies are having a wide reputation for ex- 
cellence. J. ESTET & CO., 

Manufacturers of the "Bstey Cotage Organ." 

June 1, 1870. 
I have known Mr. S. M. Spencer, of this village, both in a business way and 
in the ordinary routine of society, and have fouud him, in all intercourse! have 
had with him, to be an honest, honorable > and upright man, arid in every 
way worthy of the confidence and esteem ot his patrons. 

GEO. S. DOWLEY, 
Cashier of the "Vermont National Bank ol Brattleboro. 



Brattleboro, Vt., June 1, 1879. 
it gives me pleasure to bear witness to the character of S. M. Spencer, as a 
gentleman of strict integrity and fair dealing. .His stencil outfits have a wide 
reputation for superior excellence. WILLIS BEMIS. 

Agent Am. M. U. and Eisk & Co's, Express. 

June 1, 1870 
It is my pleasure to bear testimony to the character of S. M. Spencer, as a 
gentleman of integrity and worthy of the patronage and entire confidence of 
the community. WILLIAM S. NEWTON, 

Town Clerk oi Bratt'.eburo, Vt. 

Brattleboro, June 1, 1870. 
1 have been acquainted for several years with Mr. S. M. Spencer ,seniorpart- 
ner of the late firm of S.M.Spencer & Co., and most cheerfully recommend 
him and the business he represents to tLe confidence of all with whom he may 
deal. The employment he furnishes is well suited to persons of limited means, 
or those not able to engage in more laborious occupations, and many young 
men now doiug a thriving business received their first start by purchasing one 
of his outfits. GrE'O. E. CRO VV ELJU, 

Editor and Proprietor of The Household. 

Brattleboro, June 1, 1870. 
From long personal and business acquaintance with Mr. S. M. Spencer, we 
do not hesitate to express our entire confidence in his integrity and responsibili- 
ty. CHENEY" & CLAPP, 

Booiiseilers aivd Stationery. 

Boston, Mass., March 13, 1873. 
Having had a business acquaintance of several years with Mr. S. M. Spencer, 
it affords me much pleasure to certify that in all our transactions,! have in- 
variably found him prompt, reliable, and trustworthy. HORACE DODD, 

Advertising Agent, 121 Washington Street. 



1-4 1: eh 
3-32 

3-32 ' 

3-32 " 

1-8 • 

1-8 " 

1-8 " 

1-8 " 

3-16 " . 

3-16 " 

1-4 " 

1-4 " . 
3-8 

1-2 



ii 



3-4 



U 



S**J * f* V? C2f 

A iV I) . . 

Samples . 

Different 

• • 

STYLES . . 
. A s\< II. 
. Sixo/i . • . 

r • \J • 

S. jN [ . 8 pe ne e r's 

>itOVEI> 
ML 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



013 972 824 5 

$25.00 
10.00 




18.00 
20.0s: 
10.00 
10.00 
15.00 
12.00 
40.00 
18.00 

16.00 

28.00 

30.00 
33.00 



35.00 



Uxs 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




013 972 824 5 • 



